Exterior Design Ideas with a Green Roof

Yin Yang House
Yin Yang House
Brooks + Scarpa ArchitectsBrooks + Scarpa Architects
The Yin-Yang House is a net-zero energy single-family home in a quiet Venice, CA neighborhood. The design objective was to create a space for a large and growing family with several children, which would create a calm, relaxed and organized environment that emphasizes public family space. The home also serves as a place to entertain, and a welcoming space for teenagers as they seek social space with friends. The home is organized around a series of courtyards and other outdoor spaces that integrate with the interior of the house. Facing the street the house appears to be solid. However, behind the steel entry door is a courtyard, which reveals the indoor-outdoor nature of the house behind the solid exterior. From the entry courtyard, the entire space to the rear garden wall can be seen; the first clue of the home’s spatial connection between inside and out. These spaces are designed for entertainment, and the 40 foot sliding glass door to the living room enhances the harmonic relationship of the main room, allowing the owners to host many guests without the feeling of being overburdened. The tensions of the house’s exterior are subtly underscored by a 12-inch steel band that hews close to, but sometimes rises above or falls below the floor line of the second floor – a continuous loop moving inside and out like a pen that is never lifted from the page, but reinforces the intent to spatially weave together the indoors with the outside as a single space. Scale manipulation also plays a formal role in the design of the structure. From the rear, the house appears to be a single-story volume. The large master bedroom window and the outdoor steps are scaled to support this illusion. It is only when the steps are animated with people that one realizes the true scale of the house is two stories. The kitchen is the heart of the house, with an open working area that allows the owner, an accomplished chef, to converse with friends while cooking. Bedrooms are intentionally designed to be very small and simple; allowing for larger public spaces, emphasizing the family over individual domains. The breakfast room looks across an outdoor courtyard to the guest room/kids playroom, establishing a visual connection while defining the separation of uses. The children can play outdoors while under adult supervision from the dining area or the office, or do homework in the office while adults occupy the adjacent outdoor or indoor space. Many of the materials used, including the bamboo interior, composite stone and tile countertops and bathroom finishes are recycled, and reinforce the environmental DNA of the house, which also has a green roof. Blown-in cellulose insulation, radiant heating and a host of other sustainable features aids in the performance of the building’s heating and cooling. The active systems in the home include a 12 KW solar photovoltaic panel system, the largest such residential system available on the market. The solar panels also provide shade from the sun, preventing the house from becoming overheated. The owners have been in the home for over nine months and have yet to receive a power bill.
5406 Duval - Mid-Century Modern
5406 Duval - Mid-Century Modern
Carty Custom Builders, LLCCarty Custom Builders, LLC
Two covered parking spaces accessible from the alley
Lawless Rereat
Lawless Rereat
Searl Lamaster Howe ArchitectsSearl Lamaster Howe Architects
Positioned on the west, this porch, deck, and plunge pool apture the best of the afternoon light. A generous roof overhang provides shade to the master bedroom above.
Mason-Grabell Residence
Mason-Grabell Residence
Arielle C. Schechter, AIAArielle C. Schechter, AIA
The entry has a generous wood ramp to allow the owners' parents to visit with no encumbrance from steps or tripping hazards. The orange front door has a long sidelight of glass to allow the owners to see who is at the front door. The wood accent is on the outside of the home office or study.
Arizona Desert Earth-Contact Home Office
Arizona Desert Earth-Contact Home Office
SPACELINEDESIGN ARCHITECTSSPACELINEDESIGN ARCHITECTS
Curvaceous geometry shapes this super insulated modern earth-contact home-office set within the desert xeriscape landscape on the outskirts of Phoenix Arizona, USA. This detached Desert Office or Guest House is actually set below the xeriscape desert garden by 30", creating eye level garden views when seated at your desk. Hidden below, completely underground and naturally cooled by the masonry walls in full earth contact, sits a six car garage and storage space. There is a spiral stair connecting the two levels creating the sensation of climbing up and out through the landscaping as you rise up the spiral, passing by the curved glass windows set right at ground level. This property falls withing the City Of Scottsdale Natural Area Open Space (NAOS) area so special attention was required for this sensitive desert land project.
Island Passive House
Island Passive House
The Artisans Group, Inc.The Artisans Group, Inc.
This prefabricated 1,800 square foot Certified Passive House is designed and built by The Artisans Group, located in the rugged central highlands of Shaw Island, in the San Juan Islands. It is the first Certified Passive House in the San Juans, and the fourth in Washington State. The home was built for $330 per square foot, while construction costs for residential projects in the San Juan market often exceed $600 per square foot. Passive House measures did not increase this projects’ cost of construction. The clients are retired teachers, and desired a low-maintenance, cost-effective, energy-efficient house in which they could age in place; a restful shelter from clutter, stress and over-stimulation. The circular floor plan centers on the prefabricated pod. Radiating from the pod, cabinetry and a minimum of walls defines functions, with a series of sliding and concealable doors providing flexible privacy to the peripheral spaces. The interior palette consists of wind fallen light maple floors, locally made FSC certified cabinets, stainless steel hardware and neutral tiles in black, gray and white. The exterior materials are painted concrete fiberboard lap siding, Ipe wood slats and galvanized metal. The home sits in stunning contrast to its natural environment with no formal landscaping. Photo Credit: Art Gray
City Cabin
City Cabin
Dovetail General ContractorsDovetail General Contractors
Back facade with full glass walls.
Tiny House
Tiny House
Jessica Helgerson Interior DesignJessica Helgerson Interior Design
This little house is where Jessica and her family have been living for the last several years. It sits on a five-acre property on Sauvie Island. Photo by Lincoln Barbour.
New Collection for 2019
New Collection for 2019
The Wall Lighting Company LtdThe Wall Lighting Company Ltd
Handmade and crafted from high quality materials this Brushed Nickel Outdoor Wall Light is timeless in style. The modern brushed nickel finish adds a sophisticated contemporary twist to the classic box wall lantern design. By pulling out the side pins the bulb can easily be replaced or the glass cleaned. This is a supremely elegant wall light and would look great as a pair.
Bar House
Bar House
Audrey Matlock ArchitectAudrey Matlock Architect
The swimming pool sits between the main living wing and the upper level family wing. The master bedroom has a private terrace with forest views. Below is a pool house sheathed with zinc panels with an outdoor shower facing the forest. Photographer - Peter Aaron

Exterior Design Ideas with a Green Roof

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